Dune and No Time to Die become first foreign films to get extended theatrical run in China amid pandemic

In China, the norm is to give a film a month-long run, which is usually extended if the film is a lucrative one.

A still from Dune

Dune and No Time to Die are now going to be screened in Chinese theatres for an additional month. The decision was greenlit by Chinese authorities on Wednesday, and will give these films two months of theatrical run in the world's biggest market, according to a Variety report.

Dune will be up in theatres till December 21, will No Time To Die will stay on till December 28.

Variety writes that in China, the norm is to give a film a month-long run, which is usually extended if the film is a lucrative one. Propaganda films are also given a longer extension, as their success if seen favourable for the current political climate.

For Dune and No Time to Die to have a longer run is a first since no other foreign film was given this treatment during the peak of the pandemic between July 2020 to April 2021.

F9: The Fast Saga which released in China on May 21, was only given a month in theatres and taken off screens right before the Communist Party's 100th anniversay on July 1. Meanwhile, Ryan Reynold's August release Free Guy was removed from theatres to give homegrown films better traction during the October 1 National Day week.

Variety notes that this extra month at theatres is unlikely to increase the box office earnings of both films.

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